title: Significance of hemorrhages at the origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscles in hanging.
abstract: Hemorrhages at the periostal-clavicular origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscles are part of the indirectly induced autopsy findings in death by hanging. In a prospective study of 178 cases of hanging, clavicular hemorrhages were found in 110 cases (a relative frequency of 62%). A statistically significant association between occurrence of hemorrhages and completeness of the victim's body suspension was discovered (P = 0.046) as well as a significant association between the occurrence of hemorrhages and the location of the ligature knot on the neck (P = 0.008). The occurrence of hemorrhages at the clavicular origin of the sternocleidomastoid muscles was independent of age, sex, and weight. This article renews the knowledge of this important vital sign described mainly in the German medicolegal literature.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. hejnap@lfhk.cuni.cz
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hejna
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zátopková
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult